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Aquariums & zoos

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

沖縄美ら海水族館

Ocean Expo Park, Motobu, northern Okinawa · near Kinen-Koen-mae bus stop (Ocean Expo Park); no rail in northern Okinawa (10 min walk)

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Ocean Expo Park, Motobu, northern Okinawa. One of the world's biggest tanks, the Kuroshio Sea, holds whale sharks and manta rays behind a giant acrylic panel, plus a touch pool and daily feedings.

Why children love it: One of the world's biggest tanks, the Kuroshio Sea, holds whale sharks and manta rays behind a giant acrylic panel, plus a touch pool and daily feedings.

Honest drawbacks: It is far up the north-west coast with no train access, so families rely on a long bus ride or a hire car from Naha (about 2 hours).

Best for
Babies (0–1), Toddlers (2–4), Primary (5–11), Teens (12–17)
Time to allow
2h
Opening hours
Off-season 8:30-18:30 (last entry 17:30); peak-season summer 2026 extends to 20:00-21:00. No scheduled closing days through Mar 2027 except typhoons.
Price
Standard adult 2,180 yen, high-school 1,440 yen, elementary/junior-high 710 yen; under-6 free (churaumi.okinawa). Discounted late-afternoon tickets available.
Booking
Usually walk-in
English
★★★☆☆
Indoor / weather
indoor · rainy-day ok

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